The ethanol yield from biomass has been increased by about 50% over conventional yields in a process developed by ZeaChem Inc. (Lakewood, Colo.; www.zeachem.com). ZeaChem has tested the process (diagram) in a 3,500-gal fermenter and will activate a demonstration plant…
Coating technology that essentially eliminates carbon buildup on the interior of steam cracker tubes will be commercialized by Quantiam Technologies Inc. (Edmonton, Alta; www.quantiam.com). Commercial-scale tests in five ethylene crackers indicate that the coating can extend the time between furnace…
KBR to provide licensing of its Purifer Ammonia technology February 19, 2010 — KBR (Houston; http://www.kbr.com) has been awarded a contract by Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. (MFCL) — a Matix Group Co. owned by the Kanoria family in India…
Last month at the National Ethanol Conference at Orlando, Fla., Novozymes’ A/S (Bagsvaerd, Denmark; www.novozymes.com) president and CEO, Steen Riisgaard, launched Cellic CTec2, a new enzyme product enabling the biofuel industry to produce cellulosic ethanol at a price below $2/gal…
A new Kraft pulp Weyerhaeuser Co. (Federal Way, Wash.; www.weyerhaeuser.com) says it has begun commercial production of a new grade of Kraft pulp for the cellulose derivatives market. Cellulose derivatives are used in various products, including lacquers, paints,…
Global chemical companies could release at least €1 billion in cash flow if they increase their sustainability performance. The claim has been made following an international study which assessed the sustainability performance of nine global chemical companies in monetary terms.…
Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS (EMB; Wendelsheim; www.ehrfeld.com), a Bayer Technology Services company (BTS; Leverkusen, both Germany; www.bayertechnology.com), and Lonza (Basel, Switzerland; www.lonza.com) signed a worldwide manufacturing and distribution license agreement together with a cooperation and development agreement on the Lonza microreactor…
KBR (Houston; www.kbr.com) has been awarded a contract by Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (MFCL) — a Matix Group Co. owned by Kanoria family in India — to provide licensing and engineering services for MFCL’s grassroots 2,200 metric tons per day…
Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan; www.kobelco.com) announces that its new large-capacity compressor test facility has begun operations at the company’s Takasago Works in Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan. Test facilities are essential to confirm the mechanical stability and design performance…
BASF’s Business Unit Pharma Ingredients & Services (Evionnaz, Switzerland; www.pharma-ingredients.basf.com ) has entered into a cooperation with GEA Niro (Søborg, Denmark; www.niro.com), which will allow BASF to make cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) spray drying tests and pilot productions of active…